Sewing machine



Jan. 30, 1923. 1,443,396

L. E. TOPHAM. SEWING MACHINE. FILED JAN- 6, 1919. 8 SHEETS'SHEET I Wt/mess J yjfrvvirwtcvr x a j Jan. 30, 1923. 1,443,396

L. E. TQPHAM. SEWING MACHINE. FILED JAN. 6, 1919. 8 SHEETSSHEET 3 frnvemijczr wy ZXW jazz 7% L E TOPHAM SEWING MACHI NE F: LED JAN 6 191 9 Jan. 30, 1923.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4 v Jan. 30, 1923. 1,443,396

. M/I'UTUESS L. E. TOPHAM/ SEWING MACHINE- FILED JAN. 6. 1919. 8' SHEETS-SHEET 5 IrvvemUcwm MI /9 Jan. 30, 1923.v Q 1,443,396

L. E. TOPHAM. I

\ Sgwms MACHINE.

FILED JAN. 6;, 1919. 8 SHEETS-SHEET 6 idli- JTDVETUUQ f ,H w

"fitness,

Jan.- 30, 1923. 1,443,396

L- E. TOPHAM. SEWING MACHlNE. FILED JAN.6.1919.

may w iaafiw Jan. 30, 1923.

. 1,443,396 L. E. TOPHAM. SEWING MACHINE FILED JAN. 6. 1919. 8 SHEETS-SHEET B Patented Jan. 3%, 1923.

airs sates artist I me LAURENCE n. 'rornarr, or swai/irsoo'r'r, MASSACHUSETTS, essrenon T UNITED" SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, or rerun-son, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORA- TION' OF NEW JERSEY.

SEWING IMAGHINE.

Application filed January 6, 1919. Serial No 269,925.

To all whom it may concern v Be it known that. I, LAnnnNon E. Tor- HAM, acitize'n of the United States, residing at SWampscott, in the county of Essex 5 and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in SewingMachines; and I do hereby declare the'following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains, to make and use the same.

This invention relates, more particularly, to shoe or leather sewing machines of the class in which the work is fed by a workpiercing tool such as aneedle or awl.

In sewing machines of this class the work feeding tool is relatively slender andpos sesses considerable resiliency. Thejresult is that the tool is often deflected either for wardly or rearwardly with relation to the direction of feed during the feeding of the wvork, andvariations in the distances that the work is fed by the tool andconsequent variations in the lengths of the stitches are produced. For instance, when any undue resistance is olfered to the feeding of the "work, the work feeding tool may be deflected rearwardly and the work will then be fed by the tool a distance shorter than the normal feed length. The tool may be deflected forwardly by the momentum of the work during its feed movementor by the operators forcing the feed, and the work will then be fed a distance greater than the normal feed length. It is desirable that the work should be fed a substantially uniform distance during the formation of each stitch in order to 'secure uniformity in the character and appearance of the stitches.

40 In work where the seam is in View when the seam is completed the variations in the lengths of the stitches resulting from the variations in the length of feed greatly, im pairs the appearance of the finished work.

The primary object of the present invention is to-producc a sewing machine of.

the above class which will operate with reliability and certainty to feed the work a uniform distance during each cycle of oper'ations.

With the above object in view the inventor contemplates as an important feature of the present invention the provision of means for causingv the work feeding tool to pierce the work always at the same distance fromthe last preceding puncture made by saidtool in the work. In a preferred form of'the invention the tool is causedto pierce the work always at the same distance from the last preced ng puncture by adjusting the mechanism for impartingthe feeding movements to the tool so that the tool will back-feed to a limiting position'at a uniform distance from this puncture during each cycle of'operations. Inthe'embodiment of the invention illustrated herein the [work feeding tool is caused to operate in the manner above described through the action of a feeler controlled mechanism.

In its illustrated form the invention is embodied in a machine provided with a needle and a work feeding awl operating to pierce the work at a point to the rear of the needle with relation to the direction of feed and moving normally, during its feeding stroke, into a position in line with the needle. .The needle follows the awl as the awl retracts from the work and pierces the work through the awl puncture.

lV'hen the awl is bent out'of its normal position at the end of its feeding stroke the needle is deflected into the awl puncture, the work I engaging position of the needle correspondcertain novel and improved constructions,

arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly polntedout 1n the claims, the advantages of which will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

lVhile the invention has been illustrated in the present application as embodied in a sewing machine, certain features thereof may be applied with advantage to other machines and it is to be understood that except as defined in the claims the invention is not limited to any particular class of machines. The features of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention in the best form thus far devised by the inventor, and the following detailed description of the constructions therein shown.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying the invention; Fig.

2 is a view in side elevation of the machine looking from the right; Fig. 3 is a detail plan view illustrating the awl mechanism with. the parts in different positions from the positions shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a detail vviewin front elevation illustrating. the feelermechanism for controlling the feeding movements of the awl; Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating a portion of the mechanism shown in. Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of thefeeler member; Fig. 7 is a view in front elevation partly in section illustrating certain parts of the electricalmechanism for adjusting the back feed of the awl; Fig. 8 is a view partly. in side elevation and partly in section. of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view of certain of the parts shown in Figs. 7. and 8; Fig. 10 is a. diagrammatic view. illustrating the electrical connections of the machine ,Fig 11 is a' detail under-side plan view of certain parts of the electrical mechanism for adjusting the back feed of the awl; Figs. 12, 13, 14, 15 and16 are similar plan views of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4 illustrating several different conditions of the parts; Figs. 17, 18, 19 and 20 are diagrammatic views illustrating particularly the position of the awl and the position of the needlewith relation to the awl and awl puncture after the completion of the feeding stroke of the awl under several different 3 conditions of awl deflections; Figs. 21, 22,

23 and 24 are diagrammatic views illustrating particularly the manner in which the work piercing position of the awl is adjusted under the conditions illustrated respectively in Figs. 17, 18, 19 and 20; Figs. 25, 26, 27 and 28 are similar detail plan views of the electrical mechanism for adjusting the back feed of the awl illustrating several different conditions of the parts; and Fig. 29 is a detail view partly in side elevation and partly in section illustrating a timer forming a partof'the electrical mechanism for adjusting. the back feed of the awl.

The sewing machine illustrated in the drawings of thepresent application is a lock-stitch machine for sewing outsoles to the welts of welted shoes. This machine has the same general construction, arrangement and mode of operation of parts as the machine illustrated and described in the patent'to French and Meyer, No. 473,870, dated April 26, 1892. The machine comprises a curved hook needle 2, a curved work feeding awl 4, a looper 6, a shuttle 8, a thread lifter 10, a work support 12, a presser foot 14, and certain other devices cooperating with theseparts to form a lock-stitch seam through the welt of a lasted shoe and the marginal portion of an outsole to attach these parts together. All of these parts receive their operative movements through suitable connections from a series of cams mounted upon a cam shaft 16. Vith the exception of the mechanism for imparting feeding movements to the awl the parts referred to above and the mechanisms for operating these parts have the same construction, arrangement and mode of operation as the corresponding parts and their operating mechanisms in the machine illustrated and described in the French and Meyer patent.

In the present machine the a-wl is moved from a position to the rear of the needle relatively to the direction of feed to a position in line with the needle, and the needle follows the awl as the awl is retracted from the work, the needle advancing through the awl puncture. The work feeding awl 4 of the machine (see Figs. 1', 2 and'3) is clamped in a carrier 18 pivoted upon a stud 20 secured in the upper end of an upright 22 formed on the feed slide indicated at24. The feed slide is reciprocatod by means of an oscillating cam lever 26 pivoted upon a stud 28 and connected with the slideby means ofthe links 30 and 32. One end of the link 30 is .pivotally connected at 34 with the forwardly extending arm of the cam lever 26, while the other end of the link is pivotally connected at 36 to the corresponding end of the link 32. The other end of the link 32 is pivotally connected at 38 with the feed slide.

The link 32 is normally held from move ment about its pivotal connection 38 with the feed slide but is arranged for adjustment about this connection. With this construction it will be seen that the length of the reciprocatory movements of the feed slide or the length of feed of the awl may be adjusted by swinging the link 32 about the pivotal connection 38. By swinging the link 32 rearwardly thereby bringing the pivotal connection 36 nearer to the axis of the cam lever, the length of the reciprocatory movement of the feed slide will be diminished, and by swinging the link 32 forwardly thereby moving the pivotal connection 36 farther from the axis of the cam lever, the length of the reciprocatory movement of the feed slide will be increased. The parts are constructed and arranged, however, so that at, the end of the forward movement. of the feed slide the center of the pivotal connection 34 between the cam lever and the link is brought into line with the center of the pivotal connection 38 between the link 32 and the feed slide whatever may be the position in which the link 32 is adjusted. This will insure that the awl will always be brought into exactly the same position in line with the needle at the end of the advancing movement of the feed slide regardless of the length of feed.

The link 32 is automatically adjusted during the operation of the machine so as to cause the and to back feed to a limiting or work piercin g position at a uniform distance from the last preceding puncture made in the work by the awl, whatevermay be the limiting advanced position of the awl the direction of feed. Forexample, when the awl is bent rearwardly relatively to the direction of feed during the feeding movement thereof, so that the awl occupies a position somewhat to the rear of its normal position at the end of the work feeding movement thereof the link 32 is swung forwardly to increase the length of the back feed of the awl. In a corresponding manner, whenthe awl is bent forwardly during its feeding movement, so that it assumes a position somewhat forward of its normal position at.

the end of its feeding stroke, the link 32 is swung rearwardly to diminish the back feed of the awl.

The position of the link 82 is controlled by means of a longitudinally movable bar or rod 40 the forward'end of which is connected with the link 82 by means of a bolt 4:2passing loosely through an opening in the bar and secured in a slot 44 in the link. This adjustable connection between the bar and the link enables the normal position of the link L0 be adjusted to adjust the normal length of feed. I

The rear end of the bar 40 is pivotally connected by means of a stud 46 with the right hand end of a controlling lever 18 pivoted at 50 on one arm of a bell crank lever 52 which in turn is pivoted upon a stud 5d projecting upwardly from the base of a box 56 secured to the frame of the machine. The other arm of the bell crank 52 is connected by a link 58 with the end of the lower arnr'of a cam lever 60 pivoted upon a stud 62, the upper arm of which lever carries 'a cam roll 64 engaging in a cam groove in a cam disk 66 mounted on the main shaft 16 of the machine. l/Vith this construction the bell crank lever 52 is constantly oscillated during the rotation of the main shaft, the lever making one complete oscillation during each rotation of the shaft. The right hand end of the controlling lever 48 is normally held from forward or rearward movement by means of a triangular block 68 mounted in the box 56 and having a slot- 7 0 in which the stud a6 engages. The triangular block 68 is mounted loosely in a recess in the side of the box/56, the block engaging between retaining plates or guides 72 formed on the ho and the base of the block normally resting against a plate 74 secured to the side of,

the box. The triangular block 68 is acted upon by a coiledspring76 mounted in a tube end of thetub-e. With this construction the block 68 is normally held by the spring 76 with its base engaged with the plate 7%. as shown in Fig. 1, andthe block may be tilted about either of the corners thereof at the opposite ends of its base as a fulcrum,

the tilting of the block in either direction distend ng the coiled spring. The right hand end of the controlling lever i8 is normally held from forwarder rearward movement through the engagement of the stud 46 in the slot 76 in the block, 68 the lever swinging about said stud during the oscillatory movements of the bell crank lever 52.

The right hand end of the controlling lever d8 is shifted either forwardly or rearwardly against the tension exerted by the spring 76 to adjust the feeding devices of the machine under certain conditions by the movement. of the bell crank lever 52. To this end the controlling lever lS is formed with projection or lug 82 located upon the right side ofits pivotal connection with the bell crank lever 52 for engagement in a recess 8% in a fulcrum bar 86 pivoted at 88 upon a supporting lever 90,and the controlling lever is formed with a second projection or lug 92 located upon the left side of its pivotal connection with the bell crank 52 forengageinent in a recess 945 in a fulcrum bar 96 pivotedat 98 upon the supporting lever 90. The forward ends of the fulcrum bars 86 and 96 are connected by a cross link 100 so that they will swing together about their pivotal connections with the supporting lever 90. The supporting lever 90 is pivoted at 102 upon the base of the box 56 and is actedupon by a coiled spring 104: WlllCl'lIlOllIllllY maintains the sam in its rearward position. The rear ward position of the supporting lever is determined bymeans of an abutment screw 106. The fulcrum bars 66 and 96 are normally held in the angular positions shown in Fig. 1 with the projections 82-and 92 on the controlling lever d8 disengaged from the corresponding recesses in the respective fulcrum bars. To this end a spring'pressed pin;

108 mounted in a sleeve 110 threaded into the rear wall of the box 56 is arrangedto ento engage a lateral projection on the'left' hand fulcrumbar 96. ltach of these pins is acted upon by a coiled spring, as indicated at 116, Fig. 27, and the movement of the pin under the action of the coiled spring is limited by means of a collar, as indicated at 1l8 in said figura I With the fulcrum bars 86 and 96 located in the angular position shown in Fig. 1, the

right hand end of the controlling lever 48 held from forward or rearward movement by the block 68, said lever then swinging idly about the stud 46 during the oscillatory movements of the bell crank lever 52. At the end of each rearward movement of the laterally extending arm of the bell crank lever the controlling lever 48 is swung sub stantially into the limiting position shown in Fi l, the projections 82 and 92 on said controlling lever then being located in position to be engaged. respectively in the recesses 84 and 94 in the fulcrum bars. Fig. 25 shows the positions of the parts at the end the forward movement of the laterally extending arm of the bell crank lever with the fulcrum. bars in their normal angular positions. lfpon swinging the fulcrum bars 86 and 96 to the right from their normal positions the projection 92 is engaged in tie recess 94 in the left hand fulcrum bar 96, as shown in Fi 26. lVith the projection 92 located in tne recess 94 as the laterally extending arm of the bell crank 52 swings forwardly the spring 76 acting on the triangular block 68 holds said block and the right hand end of the controlling lever in position during the first part of the movement of the bell crank, and through the connection established between the bell crank and the supporting lever 90, the latter lever is swung forwardly by the movement of the hell crank. The forward movement of the supporting lever 90, however is arrested by a stop before the laterally extending arm of the bell crank 52 has completed its forward movement, with the result that the projection 92 then becomes the fulcrum of the controlling lever 48, and the latter lever is swung about this fulcrum in a direction to carry the right hand end of said lever forwardly during the continued'movement of the bell crank, as shown in Fig. 26. This forward movement of the right hand end of the lever will produce through the connecting bar 40 a forward adjustment of the link to increase the movement imparted to the feed slide and awl by the cam lever 26. Upon swinging the fulcrum bars'86 and 96 to the left from their normal positions, the projection 82 on the controlling lever 48 is engaged in the recess 84 in the right hand fulcrum bar 86, as shown in Figs. 2? and 28-. With the projection 82 engaged in the recess 84 as the laterally extending arm of the bell crank 52 swings forwardly, the right hand end of the controlling lever 48 is held from movement by the action of the spring 76 on the block- 68, the controlling lever 48 swings forwardly about the stud 46 and through the connection established between the latter lever and the supporting lever 90, the supporting lever is swung forwardly as before until its movement is arrested by the stop. The projection 82 then becomes the fulcrum of the controlling lever 48 and the lever is swung about this fulcrum in direction to carry the right hand end of the lever rearwardly, as shown in Figs. 2? and 28. This rearward movement of the right handend of the controlling lever will produce through the connecting bar 40 an adjustment. of the link 32 to diminish the movement imparted by the cam lever 26 to the feed slide and awl.

The awl may be bent rearwardly or forwardly to varying degrees during its feed-- ing movement and a relatively large or a relatively small increase or decrease in the back feed of the and may be required to cause the awl to assume a position at a uniform distance from the last preceding awl puncture at the end of its back feeding stroke. In order to enable either a relatively large or arelatively small variation in the back feed of the awl to be produced as required, provision is-made for. producing either a. relatively large or a relatively small movement of the right hand end of the controlling lever 48 from the movement of the bell crank 52 to adjust the awl actuating devices. With one of the fulcrum projections on the controlling lever 48 engaged in the recess in the corresponding fulcrum bar, the movement of the right hand end of the lever is produced only when the forward movement of the supporting lever 90 is arrested. To enable the amount of forward movement of the supporting lever to bevaried and variations in the extent of the movement of the right hand end of the controlling 'bOX 56, said projection being arranged to engage the body of the lever 90. The block 122 is secured to the base of the box 56 by means of a screw 124 engaging in a slot in the block, and the block may be adjusted 'to adjust the position of the stop by means of an adjusting screw 126. Another of these stops is formed by the rear end of a lever 128 which is arranged to engage a projection 130 on the supporting lever 90. The stop lever 128 is pivoted on a. stud 132 mounted on a block 134 secured to the base of the box 56 by means of a screw 136 engaging in a slot in the block. The block may be adjusted to adjust the position of the lever by means of an adjusting screw 138. The stop lever is acted upon by a coiled spring 140 which normally holds the same ininactive position with the rear end of'the lever third. stop is formed by the rear end of a similar stop lever 142 which is also arranged to engage the projection 130 on the supporting lever 90. The stop lever li2is pivoted on a stud 144: mounted on an adjustable block 146 secured to the, base of the box 56 by means of a screw 1 18 and adapted to be adj l sted by means of an adjusting screw 150.

The stop lever 142 is normally held in inactive position by means of a coiled spring 154. As shown clearly in the drawings, the stop lever 142 and the corresponding contact face of the projection 130 are relatively located to stop the forward movement of the supporting lever 90 some distance to the rear of the position in which the supporting lever is stopped by the engagement of the stop lever 128 with the projection.

With the above construction seven different conditions of the parts may be produced. Figs. 1 and illustrate what may be termed the normal or neutral condition of the parts. In addition to the normal condition of the parts three different conditions may be produced to produce increases of three different degrees in the back feeding movement of the awl and also three different conditions maybe produced to pro duce'decreases of three different degrees in the back feeding movement of the awl.

When an increase in the back feedingmovement of the awl is to be produced, the fulcrum bars 86 and 96 are swung to the right to engage the projection 92 in the recess 94 in the left hand fulcrum bar 96, and when a decrease in the back feeding movement of the awl is to be produced the fulcrum bars are swung to the left to engage the, projection 82 in the recess 84 in the right hand fulcrum bar 86. When a relatively slight variation in either direction in the back feeding movement of the awl is to be produced the stop levers 128 and 142 are both held out of acting positions so that the forward movement of the supporting lever 90 is stopped by the engagement of said lever with the i stop 120. Vhen a greater variation in the back feeding movement of the awl is to be produced, the stop lever 128 is actuated to locate the rear end of the lever infront of theprojection 130, the stop lever 142 re maining ininactive position. -When a still greater variation in the back feeding movement of the awl is to be produced, the stop lever 142 is actuated to carry the rear end of the said lever in front of the projection 130.

The lateral movement of the fl-ilcrumbars the cross-bar.

86 and 96 andfthe movements of the stop levers 128 and 142 are'produced and controlled by electro-magnets which are energized or deenergized through electrical connections controlled from a feeler mechanism. The lateral position of the fulcrum bars is controlled by a lever 152 pivoted on a stud 4154 secured in the base of'the box 56 and connected with the cross-bar 100 by means of a screw 156 engaging in a slot in p The lever 152 is formed with lateral projections 158 located between a pair of electro-magnets 160 mounted on one side of the box, and a second pair of electroi'nagnets 162 mounted on the opposite side of the box. WVhen the magnets 7160' are energized the lever152 is swung to, the right by the attraction exerted by the magnets, andthe fulcrum bars are swung to the right therewith andwhen the magnets 162' are energized the lever 152 is swung to the left thereby swinging the fulcrum bars to the left. The stop lever 128 is'formed with lateral projections 16 1 located opposite'the ends of a pair of electro-magnets 166 mount ed on one side of the box, and the stop lever 142 is formed with corresponding lateral projections 168 located opposite the ends of a pair of electro-magnets 170 mounted on the opposite side of the box. The stop levers 128 and 142 are thus adapted to be swung into acting positions by the attraction exerted respectively by the magnets 166 and 170 when said magnets are energized. Each of the electro-magnets has the CORStIHCiZlOH illustrated in Fig. 9. Each magnet C0111. prises a central soft iron core 172 uponthe ends of which are'mounted disks or washers 17 1 of insulating material and a large num her of coils ofrelatively fine insulated wire indicated at 176 are wound on the core between the disks. Mounted on the/exterior of the coils of wire is a metal shell 178 which has an electrical contact with the 'outer end of the wire indicated at 180, and the inner end of the wire indicated at 182 has an electrical contact with the soft iron core, all as shown clearly in Fig. 9. The magnets are mounted upon insulating blocks 1 8 i secured to the sides of the box 56, each magnet be ng attached to the corresponding insulat ng block by means of a screw 186 pass ng through the block and threaded into the core of the magnet. The ,upper and lower magnets of each pair of magnets referred to above are connected by an iron bar 188' the ends of which are arranged to contact respectively with the cores of themagnets.

When the awl isloent out of its normal position during its feeding movement so that it is located out of line with the needle when the needle enters the work, the needle during its work piercing movement is deflected into the awl puncture. The position of the needle when in the work corresponds with the pos1- *T'tion of the last awl puncture, and the distance fwwhich the awl must be back fed to locate the same at a uniform distance from the last awl puncture may be measured from the work engaging position of the needle. The

feeler mechanism referred to above comprises a feeler arranged to find the position of the needle when the needle is in the work. This feeler is indicated at 190 and is slidably mounted in a suitable guide-way in the rear end of the feeler is connected by a univ'ersal joint with one end of a bell crank lever 192 fixed to the lower end of a rock shaft 193 mountedin bearings in a block I 194 secured to the frame ofv the machine. The other arm of the bell crank lever 192 has a pin and slot connection with the forward end of a link 195, the rear end of which is pivotally connected with one arm of a bell crank cam lever 196 pivoted on a stud 198, The other arm of the cam lever carries a cam roll 200 engaging in a cam groove in a. cam disk 202 secured to the main shaft 16 of, the machine. To the upper end of the rock shaft 193 is secured an arm 206 acted upon by a coiled spring 208. This spring tends to turn the rock shaft in a direction to advance the feeler 190 into engagement with the needle. Through the cooperative action of the cam lever 196 and the spring 208 the feeler is advanced into engagement with the needle and is retracted at definite points in each cycle of operations. -The cam groove in the cam disk 202 ispreferably formed so that the feeler is ad vanced into engagement with the needle when the dwell occurs in the needle movement at the end of its advancing stroke to allow the thread to be placed in the needle barb by the looper. The pin and slot connectlon between the rear arm of the bell crank lever 192 and the link 195 allows for lost motion between the link and the lever after the feeler has been advanced into engagement with the needle by the action of the spring 208. To enable the rock shaft .193 to-movevertically and to tilt to a slight degree to prevent the binding of the feeler -190 in its .guideway in the shank of the worksupport, the shaft is slidably mounted in a spherical bearing block 209 engaging in a bearing in the block 194. With a the above construction the posi- -tion of the feeler and the angular position of the rock shaft 193 when the feeler is in advanced positlon is controlled by the position of theneedle. The electrical mechae5;nismforadjusting the back feeding. move vment of the awl is controlled by the anformed on the hub of thearm. Pivotally' mounted at 216 upon another arm of the lever 210 is a contact lever 218. Upon the contact lever is mounted a contact 220m."- ra'nged to engage a contact 222 formed at the inner end of a screw 224 mounted in the upturned portion a, plate 226 secured to the block 194 which is made of insulating material. The contact leveris. formed with a second contact 228 arranged to engage a contact 230 carried by a pin projecting upwardly from a plate 232 secured to the insulating block 194. The contact lever is formed with a third contact 234 which constantly engages a contact 236 formed on a leaf spring 238 secured at its outer end to a plate 240 mounted on the block 194. The leaf spring is arranged so that it tends to swing the contact lever in a clockwise direction about its pivotal connection with the lever 210. In order to limit the movement of the contact lever under the action of the leaf spring 238, an abutment screw'241 is adjustably mounted in a'plate 242 secured to the insulating block 194. The leaf spring 238 carries a second contact 244arranged to engage a contact- 246 formed on the inner end of a screw 248 mounted in the upturned portion of a plate 250 secured to the insulating block. The leaf spring carries a third contact 252 arranged to engage a contact 254 formed at the inner end of a screw 256 mounted in the upturned portion of a plate 258 secured to the insulating block.'

The plate 226 is connected by means of a binding screw 260 with one end of a wire 262. the other end of which is connected with the lower end of one of two screw studs 264 mounted in a block 266 of insulating material secured to the base of the box 56. A spring plate 268 is secured to the upper end of the screwstuds and is arranged to bear upon the periphery of the metal. shell of the lower of the magnets'160. The plate 232 is connected by means of a binding screw 270 with one end of a wire'272, the other end of which is connected with the lower end of one of two screw studs 274 mounted in the insulating block 266. To the upper ends of the screw studs 274 is secured a spring plate 276 arranged to bear against the periphery of the metal shell of the lower of the magnets 162. The, plate 250 is connected by means of a binding screw 278 with one end of a'wire 280, the other end of which wire is connected with the lower end or" one of two screw studs 282 mounted in the insulating block 266. To the upper ends of the screw studs 282 is secured a spring plate 28-1- arranged to bear against the periphery the metalshell of the lower of the magnets 170. The plate 258 is connected by means of a binding screw 286 with one end or" a wire 288, the other end of. which wire is connected with the lower end of one of two screw studs 290 u'iounted in the insulating block 266. d To the upper ends of the screw studs 290is secured n spring plate 292 arranged to bear against the periphery of the metal shell of the lower of the magnets 166. The plate 2&0 is grounded by means of a wire 294z'connected at one end with a binding screw 296 mounted in the plate, the other end of which wire has a grounding connection with a part or the machine.' l /loui'ited at its opposite ends in the insulating blocks 184i is a transverse bar or rod 298 connected respectively with the upper magnets of each pair by means of spring plates 300 secured to the rod and arranged to bear against the peripheries of the metal shells of therespective magnets. The outer end of the rod 298 is connected with one end of a wire 302, the other end of which is connected with a generator or other source of electrical current. In the illustrated construction the other end of the wire 302 is connected with one terminal of a generator illustrated conventionally and indicated at 3041. The other terminal of the generator is connected with one end of a wire 306. the other end of which is connected with a timer through which the generator is grounded at a predetermined time during each rotation of the main shaft 16. The timer comprises a metallic disk 308 secured to one end of the main shatt-16 and "formed with a projection 310 on its periphery, and a contact ball 312 mounted at the inner end of a cylindrical bore or chamber in a sleeve 314 threaded into a block 316 of insulating material secured to the frame of the machine. The ball 312 is acted upon by a coiled spring 318 which tends to force the ballupwardly in the sleeve, and the upward move ment of the ball under the actionot the spring is limited hythe engagement of the ball with the wall of the bore at the upper end of the sleeve, which is inwardly tapered. The limiting position or the ball is such that the ball is engaged by the projection 310 during each rotation of the main shaft 16 but does not contact with the remainderof the periphery of the disk 308. The wire 306 is connected with the lower endfot the sleeve 314:, as shown in Figs. 2 and 29. The generator thus is grounded through the contact of the projection 310 with the ball 312 at a definite time during each rotation of the main shaft 16.; The disk 308 is adjustably mounted on the main shatt to enable the point in a cycle of operations at which the projection 2310 engages the ball to be adjusted to adjust the time at which the generator is ground ed. To thisend the disk 308 is secured to the shaft 16 by means of screws 320 engagingin slots in thedisk and threaded into the shaft.

lVhen the feeler is in its'limit-ing retracted position the parts of the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 12 to 16 inclusive, occupy the positions shown in Fig. 12 with the contact 252m engagement with the contact 254, the contact 2% in engagement with the contact 2 16, the contact 228 in engagement with the contact 230 and with the right hand end of the contact lever 218 disengaged from the abutmentscrew 2 11. Fig. 14 illustrates the positions of the parts when the teeler isallowed to advance to an extreme forward position. During the movement of the 't'eeler from its limiting retracted position to its extreme advanced position, the lever210 is swung in a counter-clockwise direction and the contact lever 218 and the spring 238 are actuated in the tollowingmanner. Dun

ing the first part of themovement of the lever 210 the contact lever 218 swings about the contact 230 as a fulcrum, thereby first disengaging the contact 244 from the contact 2 16, then disengaging the contact 252. from the contact 254, and finally bringing the contact lever intoengagement with the abutment screw 2 11. The contact lever then swings about the end of the abutment screw. thereby first disengaging the contact 228 fromthe contact 230 and then bringing the contact 220 into engagement with the con tact 222. The contact lever then swings about thecontact 222 as a fulcrum, thereby first disengaging the lever from the abut ment SCI'GW'QLl and engaging the contact 252with the contact 254-, andthen engaging the contact 24d'with the contact 246. The position of the parts at the limit of the ad.- vancing movement of the feeler is controlledby the position otthe :teeler as determined by the engagement of the teelei';

with the needle- The disk 308 is mounted onthe main shaft 16 so that theprojection 310 on said disk will engage the contact ball 312 to ground the generator when the feeler is in advanced position, and the electromagnetsmay then be energized by the en gagement of the corresponding contacts. The disk 308 is preferably mounted on the main shaft so that the generator is grounded through the timer when the awl is in its limiting advanced position in line with the needle. The energization of the electromagnets to produce adjustments of the link 32 will occur. when the awl is'in itslimiting advanced position, and the adjustment of the link will adjust the back feeding movement of the awl.

Figs. 17 to 20, inclusive, show in dotted lines the awl in its limited retracting position in the line of feed ready to pierce and feed the work and in full lines the positions of the 'needle, awl and work when the awl is in its limiting advanced position under normal conditions and with different degrees of awl deflection. Figs. 21 to 24, inclusive, show the work engaging position of the needle, the advanced position of the feeler and the'position to which the awl is back fed, resulting from the respective conditions illustrated in Figs. 17 to 20, inclusive. In each of these sets of figures the work is indicated at W. In Figs. 21 to 24, inclusive, the normal and deflected positions of the needle and the position of the awl at the completion of its back feeding movement is clearly shown by means of two scales each having a fixed position. Figs. 18 to 16, inclusive, show the positions of the parts of the 1nechanism illustrated in Fig. 12 produced under the respective conditionsillustrated in Figs. 17 to 20 and Figs. 21 to 24, inclusive.

When the awl is not deflected during its feeding movement but advances into a limiting position in line with the needle, as shown in Fig. 17, the needle advances without deflection through the awl puncture, as shown in Fig. 21. As the feeler 190 advances into engagement with the needle its forward movement is stopped by its contact with the needle, with the contact lever 218 in the position shown in Fig. 13 with the corresponding contacts all out of engagement, as clearly shown in said figure. With the parts in this condition no adjustment of the feeding devices will be produced, the awl retracting to its normal position during its back feeding movement, as shown in Fig. 21. When the awl is bent to a slight degree rearwardly relative to the direction of feed at the end of its feeding ni'ovement, so that the awl puncture occupies a position slightly. to the rear of the needle, the needle is deflected rearwardly to a slight degree as it enters the work. Under this condition as the feeler advances into engagement with to'the right by the attraction exerted by the magnets. This will result in an adjustment of the feeding devices to increase to a slight degree th'eback feeding movement of the awl. When the awl is bent to a greater degree rearwardly at the end of its feeding movement so that the awl puncture occupies a position farther to the rear of the needle, the needle is deflected farther to the rear as its advances through the work. Under this condition the feeler 190 advances farther than under the second condition before it engages the needle, and when the forward movement of the feeler ceases the contact 220 is engaged with the contact 222 and the contact 252 is engaged with the contact 254:. the co-ntacts2 14 and 246 remaining out of engagement. The wires 262 and 288 thus are grounded so that the electric current flows through both the pairs of electromagnets 160 and 166. The fulcrum bars 86 and 96 are swung to the right and the stop lever 128 is swung into acting position by the action of the magnets, the stop lever 1&2 remaining in inactive position. This will result in an adjustment of the work feeding devices to increase the back feeding movement of the awl to a greater extent than under the second condition.

- In a similar manner when the awl is bent rearwardly to a still greater degree at the end of its work feeding movement, as shown in Fig. 18, the needle is correspondingly deflected as it enters the work, as shown in Fig. 22. Under this condition when the advancing movement of the feeler ceases thecontact 220 is engaged with the contact 222, the

contact 252 is engaged with the contact 254, and the contacts 244; and 246 are also engaged, as shown in Fig. 14. The wires 262, 280 and 288 thus are grounded so that the electric current flows through the pairs of magnets 160, 166 and 170, the fulcrum bars are swung to the right, and the stop levers 128 and 1 12 are both swung into active positions, as shown in Fig. 26. Obviously, however, the stop lever 128 will have noeffect upon the action of the parts. The condition of the parts thus produced will result in an adjustment of the work feeding devices to produce a still greater increase in the back feeding movement of the awl, thereby bringing the awl to the limiting position shown in Fig. 22.

When the awl is bent to a slight degree forwardly relative to the direction of feed at the end of its feeding movement so that the awl puncture occupies a position slightly in advance of the needle, as shown in Fig. 19, the needle is deflected forwardly to a slight degree as it enters the work, as Shown in Fig. 23. The feeler under this condition advances slight distance'less than under normal conditions, and when the movement of the feeler ceases the contact 228 is engaged with the contact 230, theother corresponding contacts remaining out of engagement.

The wire 272 thus is grounded and the elec- J tric current then flows through the electromagnets 162, thereby energizing these magnets and the fulcrum bars are swung to the A greater degree at the end of its feeding movement, as shown in Fig. 20, theneedle is correspondingly deflected as it advances through the work, as shown in Fig. 24:. Under'this condition when the forward movement of the feeler ceases, the contact 228 is engaged with the contact 230, and the contact 252 is engaged'with the contact 254, the contacts 244' and 246 remaining out of en gagement. The wires 272 and 288 thus are grounded so that the electric current flows through both'the pairs of magnets 162 and 166. The fulcrum bars are swung to the left and the stop lever 128 is swung into acting position by the action of the magnets, as shown inFig. 28. This will result in an adjustment of the work feeding devices to decrease to a greater degree the back feed ing movement of the awl than under the last condition, thereby bringing the awl to the limiting position shown in Fig. 24.

When the awl is bent forwardly to a still greater degree "at the end of its feeding movement, the needle is correspondingly deflected as it enters the work, and when the forward'movement of the feeler ceases the contact 228 is engaged with the contact 230, the contact 252 engaged with the contact 254, and the contacts 244 and 246 are also engaged. The wires 272, 280 and 288 thus are grounded so that the electric current flows through the pairs of magnets 162, 166 and 170, the fulcrum bars are swung to the left, and the stop levers 128 and 142 are swung "into acting positions. The condition of the parts thus produced will result in an adjustment of the work feeding devices to produce a still greater decrease in the back feeding movement of the awl.

Having explained the nature and object of the invention, and having specifically described a machine embodying the same, what is claimed is:

1. A sewing machine having, in' combination, stitch forming and work feeding devices comprising a work piercing tool, means for actuatingthe tool to feed the work, and means responsive to variations in the feed of the work for causing the tool to pierce the work always at the same distance from the last preceding puncture made in the work by the tool.

Y 2. A sewing machine having, in combination, stitch forming and work feeding devices comprising a work piercing tool, means for advancing the tool to feed the work and for back feeding the tool, and mechanism responsive to variations in the feed of the work for causing the tool to back feed a uniform distance fromthe last preceding puncture made in the work by the tO l during each cycle of operations.

A sewing machine vices comprising a work piercing tool, means for actuating the 'tool' to feed the work and sition in linewith the needle tofeed the work and for back feeding'the awl, and mechanism responsive to variations in the feed of the work for causing the awl to j having, in combination, stitch forming andwork feed1ng,de-'

pierce the work always at the same distance from the position of theneedle when the needle is in the work. I

5. A sewing machine having; in combination, stitch formingtand workfeeding devices comprising a needle, a work piercing awl, means for advancing the awl from a position to the rear of the needle to a position in line with the needle to feed the work the work, means for advancing the tool to feed the work and for back feeding the tool, and mechanism acting upon a- ;deflection of the tool for adjusting said means to cause the tool to? back feed to a limiting'positio'n at a uniform distance from the last preced ing puncture made in the work by the tool during each cycle of operations.

7. A sewing machine having, in cpmbination, stitch forming and work feeding dcvices comprising a needle and an awl, means for advancingthe awl from a position to the rear of the needle to a position in line with he needle to feed the work and for back feedingthe awl, a feeler for detecting'the position of the needle when the needle is in the work, and mechanism controlled by the feeler for causing the awl to pierce the tion, stitch forming and work feeding. de-

vices comprising, a work piercingv tool, means fo'r actuating the tool -to feed the work, and electrically controlled mechanism responsive to variations in the feed of the work for causing the toolto pierce the work always atthe same distance'from the last preceding puncture made in the work I 'by th e tool.

10. A sewingmachine having, in combination", stltch' forming and work feeding devices comprislng, a work piercing tool,

means for actuating-the tool to feed the work, a feeler and electrical mechanism controlled by the feeler for causing the tool to plerce the-work, at a uniiorm dlstance from the lastpreceding puncture made in the wor'kbv, the tool during each cycle of operations.

11. A sewingmachine having, in combination, stitchforming and work feeding devices comprising. a needle, awork-piercing awl, means for advancing the awl in the direction of feed from a position to the rear of theneedle to a position in line with the needle to feed the work-and for back feedinge-theawl a-work support, a feeler slid ably mounted in the work support for engaging the needle, means for advancing the feeler to engage the needle while the needle is in'theworkand for retracting-the feeler, and mechanism controlled by the feeler to cause the awl to pierce the work always at the same distance" from the position of the needle when theneedle is in the work.

12.- A sewing machine having in combination, stitch'forming and work feeding devices comprisinga workpiercing too-l means" for actuating the tool to feed the work, a feeler, opposed relatively movable electrical contacts controlled by the fee-lei, one or inore electro-magnets and electrical circuits therefor controlled by the relation of said contacts, and mechanism controlled by the magnets for adjusting said means to cause the tool to pierce the workat a uniform distance from the last preceding puncture made inthe work by thetooi during each cycleofoperations; v

13A. sewing machine having.- in combination, stitch forming and work feeding devices comprising a work piercing tool,

means for actuating the tool to feed the' work, feeler, opposed-relatively movableelectricalcontacts controlled by the feeler, electro magn'ets and electrical circuits therefor controlled by the relation ofsaid con-* tacts, and mechanism controlled'by the mag,-

nets fonadjusting said means todifi'erent" degrees to cause the tool to pierce the work always at the same distanceffrom the last preceding puncture made n the work by the tool.

14;. A sewing machine having, in combination, stitch forming andjwo'rk feeding devices comprising a work piercing tool,

means for actuating the tool to feed the work,a fe'eler, opposed relativelymovabl'e electrical contacts controlled by the feele'r,

eleetro-magnets and electrical circuits there for controlledby the relation of said conta'cts, and mechanism controlled'by themag nets for"adj'usting, said means to different degrees and indifferent directions to cause the tool to pierce the work always at the same distance from the last preceding-puncture made in the workby the tool.

15, A machine for use in the manufacture of shoes having, incombination, a work pierclng tool, means for actuating the tool to'feed the work, and'me'ans responsive to variations in the feed of the work'for caus ing the tool to pierce the work always at the same distance from the last preceding puncture made in the work by the tool;

16. A machine for usein the manufacture of shoes having, in combination, a work piercing tool, means foradva'ncing the tool to feed the workand for 'back fee'dingthe' tool, and-means responsive to variations in the feed ofthe work for causing the tool to back feed a uniform distance from'the last preceding puncture made in the work by the tool during each cycle of operations.

17. A'machine for use in the manufacture of shoes having, in combination, a work piercing tool, means for actuating the tool" to feed the work, and mechanism acting upon a-deflection of the toolfor adjusting said means to cause the tool to pierce the work at a uniform distance from the last precedingpuncture made in the'work by the tool during each cycle of operations;

18. A sewing machine having, in combination, stitch forming and work feeding devices comprising a work piercing tool, means for aclmatingthe tool to feed the work,and means responsive to variations in the feed of the work for causing'the tool to pierce the work always "at-the same distance from the position assumed by the tool at the end of its last preceding'work feeding movement during each cycle of operations. o r i '19. A machine for use-in the manufacture of shoes having. in combination, a work piercing tool, means for actuating the tool to feed the work, and means responsive to variations in the feed of the work for causing the tool to pierce the work always at the same distance from the position assumed by the tool at the end of its lastpreceding Work feeding movement during each cycle of operations.

20. A sewing machine having, in combination, stitch forming devices including nism duringl a needle, feeding mechanism and means acting automatlcally to adJust said mechathe needle oles equal distances apart.

, 21. A. sewing machine having, in com the sewing operation to space bination, stitch forming devices including 1 a needle, feeding mechanism, and means actang automatically upon a varlatlon 1n the feed movement of the-W011i to adjust said mechanism to space the needle holes equal distances apart. t 2 22. A sewing machlne having, in combination, stitch forming devices including H a-needle, feeding mechanism, and means responsive to variations in the feeding movements of the work to space the needle holes 2 equal distances apart. I a v 1 I LAURENCE E. TOPHAM. 

